Welcoming our first deputy V-C
The University’s first deputy-vice-chancellor will be Professor John Fisher, currently pro-vice-chancellor for research. Professor Fisher will take up the post on August 1, supporting the Vice-Chancellor across a range of activities, focusing in particular on internal affairs including strategy, academic development and faculty oversight and management. He will continue his research interests, serving 80 per cent in the DVC role.

The two pro-vice-chancellor posts, for research and learning & teaching, will be advertised later this term. Professor Alan Pearman completes his appointment to the latter position in July.

Professor Fisher said: “This is a very different university now - there’s a real dynamism. I’m looking forward to another opportunity to work closely with the academic community, and I’m pleased to be able to retain an active role as a researcher.”

Enlightening the students of tomorrow
More than 6,000 final year students will be asked to take part in the second National Student Survey, running from January 30. The NSS informs prospective students about what and where to study, based on current students’ feedback about teaching, academic support and assessment on feedback. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Arthur is the new Chair of the NSS steering group. “This is a unique and valuable survey,” he said. “As well as providing tomorrow’s students with detailed information to help them make choices, it’s encouraging universities to further enhance the quality of their learning and teaching.”

For more information on the NSS see reporter.leeds.ac.uk/press_releases/current/nss_two.htm

Putting more energy into nuclear
Leeds is one of seven universities in a £6m research effort to increase nuclear expertise and make the technology more acceptable. The four-year ‘Keeping the nuclear option open programme’ will also train a new generation of engineers for an industry suffering a shortage of recruits.

Research will examine issues such as how nuclear reactors function and are monitored, and how reactor waste can be dealt with. Collaborators are Imperial College and the universities of Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol, Cardiff and the Open University.

For more information see education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1606262,00.html

CAVA welcomes Kaisa
The University’s group on care, values and the future of welfare (CAVA) welcomed visiting researcher Kaisa Ketokivi from the University of Finland on January 9 for a month-long visit. Kaisa’s research addresses the configuration of close relationships (family, kin and friends) and how these are shaped by major life events, transitions and crises. CAVA is the country’s leading research group on family change.

For more information on the work of CAVA see www.leeds.ac.uk/cava/

Shared approach reaps rewards
The Astbury centre has been awarded several million pounds to recruit the best PhD students thanks to their vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment. In a change of funding policy, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council set a challenge to universities to demonstrate a proven record of high quality, well-managed PhD programmes, good facilities and training in employment-related transferable skills. The BBSRC awarded 12 four-year PhD studentships for each of the next three years.

“This was a great opportunity for the Astbury - an interdisciplinary centre of chemistry, physics and biology as well as biological sciences - so we took this opportunity to demonstrate the strength and power of collaborative working,” said Astbury director Professor Peter Stockley. “The awards mean we are in an excellent position to convince our best undergraduates to stay on at the University”.

Introducing HEIDI
Universities could each save £45k a year in staff time and software development thanks to management information tool developed by the academic planning and performance office and the higher education statistics agency. HEIDI - higher education information database for institutions - will give staff user-friendly access to higher education statistics. Dr David Belk, HEIDI project leader said: “It will save institutions time and money as well as enhancing the quality of information available.” The project is funded by the HEFCE leadership, governance and management fund.

For more
information on the HEIDI initiative see
http://www.hesa.ac.uk/press/pr93/pr93.htm or visit www.heidi.ac.uk

ULCL spin-out success

Burglar proof window blinds, peat-free growing media for plants and cut-resistant surgical gloves are just some of the design problems being tackled by a new University of Leeds spin out company, NIRI (Nonwovens Innovations and Research Institute Limited) - a company born out of consultancy work undertaken through the University’s consultancy division, University of Leeds Consulting Limited.

NIRI will research revolutionary new fabric structures, drawing on the University's expertise in technical textiles and is designing fabrics that could improve everything from household wipes and specialist protective clothing to high-tech blood filters. School of design senior lecturer and NIRI director Dr Stephen Russell says: “There are countless existing applications of nonwoven technology, including car interiors, battery separators, air filtration and medical dressings, but because the fabrics are not always visible, it is easy to overlook their importance. Without nonwovens everyday products we take for granted simply would not function.”

For more information on ULCL contact Katherine Mapp on 0113 343 7478. For more information on NIRI contact Chris Fowler on 07802 326 355.

Looseley speaking
David Looseley marked his appointment as Professor of Contemporary French Culture with a lecture on Popular Music, National Culture and the Curious Case of the Nomadic Linguist.

The lecture also inaugurated the school of modern languages and cultures’ new popular culture research group.

Designed to build on the school’s strengths in popular culture studies, the group has attracted a number of academics from across campus.

The group is planning a study day for sixth-formers in July and a conference in September.